ASP to hold third-annual Race to Build at BMS

Appalachia Service Project (ASP) will hold its third annual Race to Build event during the Food City 500 Race Weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway from April 13-15 to build three homes for local Tri-Cities families.

ASP will host college programs from Iowa State University, Middle Tennessee State University, and Auburn University as each team races to complete the fastest, safest, and most accurate construction on the three new homes.

These three homes will go to two veterans with unstable living conditions and a family whose house recently burned down. ASP selects these recipients through a careful home review process and is very excited to give back to the Tri-Cities community to provide stable housing to three families during this event.

ASP is partnering with Home Depot, Food City, Bristol Motor Speedway, local churches, Stanley Black and Decker, and others to make this event possible, providing financial support, volunteer hours to complete the homes after the race, and community support for the families receiving the homes.

“Race to Build is a unique event for our community,” ASP Race to Build Coordinator, Margie Kendall, stated. “Not only is it a wonderful way to give back to families in need in the Tri-Cities, but it empowers students to showcase their skills and apply what they’ve learned in the classroom at their colleges in a meaningful way. We hope to see many race fans coming by to watch and root on their favorite team, as well as learn more about ASP’s work in the region.”

Construction will begin at 8:45 a.m. on Friday, April 13, and the weekend event will end at noon on Sunday, April 15. At the conclusion of the event, there will be a final inspection and judging before a closing ceremony and the winners crowned before the race begins.

The three homes will receive floors, walls, trusses, roofing, siding and windows at the track during the event before being moved to their final locations. The homes will be completed on their final property by ASP staff and local partners, and when construction commences there will be a home dedication ceremony to honor the families receiving the home and present them with the keys to their new home.

The weekend event at Bristol Motor Speedway will also serve as a time to gather the local community to learn about ASP’s work in the area and increase interest in non-profit construction. ASP invites race attendees and those from the community to come by the event throughout the weekend, watch the construction take place, and learn more about ASP’s work. On Saturday afternoon, there will be a special educational event for local high school students interested in construction.

Appalachia Service Project strives to eradicate substandard housing in Central Appalachia through home repair and replacement. The home repair program brings in over 15,000 volunteers each year from around the country to complete repairs across 26 counties in five states—Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, and Kentucky.